Frost dates for 71941Donaldson, AR
The average last spring frost in Donaldson is March 26 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 225 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 26
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 225 days
Safer after Apr 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 6 · Apr 23 | Oct 15 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 202 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 26 · Apr 11 | Oct 23 · Nov 4 · Nov 21 | 225 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 22 · Mar 11 · Mar 30 | Nov 1 · Nov 16 · Dec 5 | 249 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Donaldson
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – May 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – May 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71941 is matched to the NOAA station Arkadelphia 2 N, AR, 16.3 km away, at 196 ft elevation (40 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkadelphia 2 N, AR (used) | 196 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 4 |
| Hot Springs Asos, AR | 535 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 9 |
| Malvern, AR | 300 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 5 |
| Degray Lake Sp, AR | 490 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 10 |
Frost dates near Donaldson
- Friendship, AR 71942 · last Mar 26, first Nov 4
- Malvern, AR 72104 · last Mar 31, first Nov 5
- Arkadelphia, AR 71998 · last Mar 26, first Nov 4
- Jones Mill, AR 72105 · last Mar 31, first Nov 5
- Bismarck, AR 71929 · last Mar 24, first Nov 9
- Leola, AR 72084 · last Apr 2, first Nov 2
- Poyen, AR 72128 · last Apr 2, first Nov 2
- Curtis, AR 71728 · last Mar 26, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Donaldson, AR?
- For ZIP code 71941, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Arkadelphia 2 N, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 11.
- When is the first frost in Donaldson, AR?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71941?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 225 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.